Rheinmetall Acquires Hagedorn-NC to Bolster Propellant Production and Secure Supply Chain

Rheinmetall Acquires Hagedorn-NC to Bolster Propellant Production and Secure Supply Chain

(IN BRIEF) Rheinmetall AG is acquiring Hagedorn-NC GmbH to close a strategic supply chain gap in propellant production. With over 100 years of experience in producing industrial nitrocellulose for civilian applications, Hagedorn-NC will see portions of its production repurposed for military use, boosting Rheinmetall’s capacity for manufacturing propellants, especially for 155mm artillery ammunition. The deal, pending antitrust approval, ensures a secure supply of raw materials and strengthens vertical integration in the ammunition production process. Key figures, including Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger and Hagedorn CEO Gerd Hofmann, highlighted that this acquisition not only secures prospects for about 90 employees but also positions Rheinmetall as a leading supplier of large-calibre ammunition within NATO, offering a comprehensive range of products from a single source. In the near term, Hagedorn-NC will continue serving its civil-sector customers, with a planned conversion to military-grade nitrocellulose production in the coming months.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 8-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Rheinmetall AG is set to acquire Hagedorn-NC GmbH, a long-established nitrocellulose producer headquartered in Osnabrück, Lower Saxony, in a strategic move to secure a key component of its ammunition manufacturing supply chain. Hagedorn-NC, which has been producing industrial nitrocellulose for civilian applications in Lingen an der Ems for over a century, will see parts of its production repurposed for military use following the acquisition. This deal is pivotal for Rheinmetall, as it strengthens its production capacity for propellants, particularly those used in 155mm artillery ammunition, by ensuring a steady supply of raw materials and enhancing vertical integration across the ammunition value chain.

A purchase agreement has been finalized between Rheinmetall and Hagedorn AG, based in Osnabrück, with the acquisition pending antitrust clearance from the appropriate authorities. Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, emphasized that the takeover addresses a strategic bottleneck in propellant production and secures essential raw material supplies. He added, “We look forward to welcoming the approximately 90 employees of Hagedorn-NC to Rheinmetall, providing them with secure prospects for the future.”

Gerd Hofmann, CEO of Hagedorn AG, expressed his satisfaction with the new ownership, noting that the partnership with Rheinmetall promises enhanced growth opportunities and a successful collaboration.

Nitrocellulose, produced by reacting cellulose with nitrating acids, is a critical energetic component of propellant powders used in artillery ammunition. Rheinmetall currently operates nitrocellulose production sites in Wimmis (Switzerland), Murcia (Spain), and Wellington (South Africa), and this acquisition adds an important new site to its network. While existing civil-sector customers of Hagedorn-NC will continue to be served for the time being, the company plans to convert production to military-grade nitrocellulose over the coming months. This strategic step reinforces Rheinmetall’s leadership as a supplier of large-calibre ammunition within NATO, delivering comprehensive, integrated solutions—from projectiles and fuses to explosive charges and propellants—from a single source.

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SOURCE: Rheinmetall